GAME REPORT

Catherine Joens was her usual productive self as Bourges Basket improved to 6-5

Catherine Joens scored 18 points and Bourges pulled away from Lotos Gdynia in the second half to stay on track for a spot in the EuroLeague Women play-offs.

The French club won 65-49 to improve to 6-5, leaving them in fourth place in a very tough Group A.

Prague, who are also 6-5, are in fifth.

The most significant development for the French club on Wednesday, however, was the EuroLeague Women season debut of Emmeline Ndongue, who had been recovering from an operation on her Achilles tendon after getting hurt at the EuroBasket Women.

With their hard-working French international back in the squad, Bourges should be much more formidable opponents for every team in the competition.

Aneika Henry's jump shot had just tied the game at 27-27 early in the third quarter for Gdynia when Bourges shifted into a higher gear.

COACH QUOTES

"We tried many thinks in defense and it helped us during the first half to control Bourges. But Bourges played very well with hard defense in the second half. We missed a few little things to stay in this game."

Lotos head coach Javier Fort"We started the game very aggressively, keeping Bourges in check and at the half time we still had a chance to win. But then Bourges began to play comfortable with some three pointers. Bourges put up a very good defense and knew to beat our defense with some good points. We are out of the competition to day and we will focus on our championship now."

Bourges point guard Celine Dumerc"Gdnya tried to stop us in a lot of different ways tonight but we knew how to adapt our play and then push to play our style of game. We played a good game, winning while using all the players of the team."

Bourges head coach Valerie Garnier"Starting the game we missed some open shots but we focused on the job on defense and we finally opened their defense and played easier. We are qualified and now will play better and better."